July| 2021

 
 
Health literacy is the degree to which individuals can obtain, process, and understand information related to health, well-being, and medical treatment. This includes the ability to read, understand, and act on health information. A person’s health literacy is influenced by factors like culture, education, and the demands of a situation, context, and system.
 
According to Healthy People 2020, most American adults find it difficult to understand health and social service information, limiting their ability to make informed health decisions. As a result, people face significant challenges in achieving positive health outcomes for themselves and their families.
 
To promote health equity, we can design inclusive systems and encounters that are understood by and benefit all Connecticut residents.
 
(LOB= Legislative Office Building)
 
A Special General Assembly Session was held in early July. The House and Senate approved resolutions (HR202, SR52) extending Governor Lamont’s emergency powers related to the COVID19 pandemic. 
 
Have you missed our legislative wrap-up? Check out our most recent email here. For details on what passed in Senate Bill 1, see this factsheet. The regular legislative session begins on February 9, 2022. Another special session is expected by September to finalize federal funding spending from the American Rescue Plan Act.
 
Have a question? Please  reach out.
 
 
  • Health Equity Solutions recently sent a letter to the Commissioner of the Department of Social Services (DSS) outlining opportunities for DSS to leverage the ongoing policies and practices undertaken by Connecticut’s Department of Children and Families to address systemic racism. You can read the full letter  here.
  • Health Equity Solutions invites you to join one of our 2021 Listening Sessions! Please find details here. We hope to learn your thoughts on health care and health equity and use the information to inform our 2022 legislative agenda. Questions? Comments? Please  reach out.
  • If you are a community health worker (CHW) and would like to participate in a discussion about the CHW workforce, please join the CHW forums this summer! Please find details here.  For any questions please reach out.
  • If you would like your town to declare racism a public health crisis, materials are available  here or  reach out for support.
  • If your faith-based or education-focused organization is interested in hosting a COVID vaccine event, please email  info@hesct.org for more information.

If you are having an event and would like HES to partner, please email us at info@hesct.org.

Come & join our team! Multiple open positions can be found here.

 
 

The HES team will start this quarter reading Fragmented Democracy Medicaid, Federalism, and Unequal Politics by Jamila Michener. The book discusses Medicaid, which is the largest public health insurer in the United States. It goes into detail to explore how some states have discretion over how Medicaid is designed and implemented, poverty and illustrates how it affects those reliant on the system. Join the HES team in reading this excellent book with us and share your comments with us!

 
 
 
 

Health Equity Solutions
53 Oak Street | Hartford, Connecticut 06106
860.461.7637 | info@hesct.org

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